Stately Oaks will receive repairs and enhancements, due to a grant awarded to the City of Jonesboro and Historical Jonesboro/Clayton County, Inc., through the Tourism Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The $8,300 grant will be matched with other funds and in-kind donations, according to a press release issued by Stately Oaks Plantation.

"Due to the natural settling of both the ground and the house as well as special issues related to the relocation, the house is now in need of stabilization and rehabilitation," the release stated.

The President of Historical Jonesboro/Clayton County, Inc., Barbara Emert, explained that the Tourism Product Development Grant will assist with repairing items such as crawl space, the second-story porch, and windows.

"... project items include the replacement of the decking boards on the second story front porch, and the reglazing and repainting of the windows," the media advisory said.

"We are terribly excited to be selected by a state agency," said Emert. "It is quite a statement as to the kind of place we are."

The release added that Historical Jonesboro/Clayton County, Inc., will close Stately Oaks, on Monday, Jan. 24 through Friday, Jan. 28. The offices will be open for telephone calls and general business.

According to the release, Stately Oaks, is a Greek Revival Plantation house, built in 1839, and is operated as a tour house /museum on the site of the Margaret Mitchell Memorial Park, in Jonesboro. It is located at 100 Carriage Lane, at Jodeco Road, in Jonesboro.

"Stately Oaks is a vital part of the tourism business in Jonesboro, and Clayton County," the media advisory said.

Upon completion of the project, Historical Jonesboro/Clayton County, Inc. will host a reception and media event, to generate increased visibility and tourism, as well as renewed community pride, according to the media statement.

The celebration of the reopening is scheduled to take place some time in March, the release added.

"The stabilization and enhancements [undertaken] with the grant monies and other funding will ensure that Stately Oaks continues to welcome both community residents and tourists for many years to come," the statement said.